The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a shrapnel wound of the right hand was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted. The initial rating for hypertension is granted at 10 percent, effective April 3, 2006. The initial compensable rating for discogenic disease and degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine prior to February 14, 2009, was denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence received since the January 1991 rating decision did not establish residuals or current disability of the right 5th finger, nor does it relate to an unestablished fact such as a service connection for residuals of a shrapnel wound of the right hand. The Veteran's hypertension is controlled with medication and his diastolic blood pressure readings are predominantly below 110, and the systolic blood pressure readings are predominantly below 200. Since February 14, 2009, the Veteran has not had unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine; he does not have incapacitating episodes; and his radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is separately rated as 10 percent disabling for mild sciatic neuropathy since October 7, 2008.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of a shrapnel wound of the right hand, Hypertension, Discogenic disease and degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 27, 2010
- Citation
- 1047902
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1047902.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 10% rating for hypertension effective December 1, 2025 and denied a rating in excess of 10%. The reduction from 10% to noncompensable was not proper.
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